SB 828 Summary

• Establishes the "Transparency in Private Attorney Contracts Act" to regulate contingency fee contracts between the Michigan Department of Attorney General and private attorneys.

• Requires the department to make written determinations that contingency fee representation is cost-effective and in the public interest before entering contracts, including analysis of department resources, required legal skills, case complexity, and geographic location.

• Sets tiered contingency fee caps: 25% on amounts under $10 million, declining to 5% on amounts of $25 million or more, with an aggregate cap of $50 million per contract excluding expenses.

• Mandates government attorneys retain complete control over matters, personally oversee litigation, attend settlement conferences, and make all settlement decisions, while private attorneys must maintain detailed financial and time records available for department inspection.

• Requires the department to post executed contracts and fee determinations on its public website within 5 days, post payment information within 15 days, and submit annual reports to legislative leaders detailing all contingency fee contracts, amounts recovered, and fees paid.